Mind-Blowing MCU Theory Reveals Secret Multiverse Projects In Phase 4

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is in the midst of the Multiverse Saga, and one mind-blowing MCU theory reveals Phase 4 had secret multiverse projects. The aftermath of Avengers: Endgame and the conclusion of the Infinity Saga allowed Marvel to pivot the franchise in a new direction. After telling a massive story within a single universe, the MCU began to expand into the multiverse with Phase 4. Officially known as the Multiverse Saga, the next several years of Marvel movies and shows are all building toward Avengers: Secret Wars with Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) prominently featured as variants of the multiverse villain.

Even though the MCU is building toward another multiversal war, several theories suggested that the multiverse would play a much bigger role in Phase 4. Some of the speculation included multiverse connections for Jane Foster's Mighty Thor transformation and that WandaVision would end with Scarlet Witch breaking the universe. The truth was that Phase 4 included fewer multiverse projects than expected, as the franchise is slowly incorporating characters and events not from the Sacred Timeline/Earth-616. This all changes thanks to a genius MCU Phase 4 theory that reveals secret multiverse movies and shows within the Multiverse Saga.

MCU Phase 4 Only Had Four Official Multiverse Projects

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MCU Phase 4 was flooded with content, as 18 movies, shows, and specials were released within two years to kick off the Multiverse Saga. However, Marvel Studios only had four projects that were officially connected to the multiverse. The first real MCU multiverse project came with Loki season 1, which saw Tom Hiddleston's trickster explore different universes along with the Time Variance Authority. This was followed by What If...? season 1 exploring the multiverse in other ways by telling stories that show alternate ways the MCU played out in the multiverse, such as Peggy Carter becoming a super soldier and T'Challa becoming Star-Lord.

The Phase 4 multiverse push continued with Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The two films worked hand-in-hand in pushing the MCU's multiverse storytelling to new levels. Spider-Man: No Way Home brought back five familiar villains from past Spider-Man films to fight Tom Holland's Spider-Man, but the movie also included Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man returns, as well as a cameo in the post-credits from Tom Hardy's Venom. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness took Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to new universes, like Earth-838 where he met Reed Richards (John Krasinski), Black Bolt (Anson Mount), and more.

Theory: Multiple MCU Phase 4 Movies & Shows Take Place In A Different Universe

It is possible that the entirety of Phase 4 or some individual movies and shows take place in different universes. As proposed by Reddit user Brando3141, Marvel Studios might have secretly filled the Phase 4 slate with secret multiverse projects. The specific theory outlined on Reddit suggests that Captain America's return after taking the Infinity Stones back in Avengers: Endgame created a new universe from the main timeline that encompassed the events of the Infinity Saga. This would mean that every Phase 4 project takes place in a new universe created by Captain America, meaning that Marvel has secretly created a new timeline for the Multiverse Saga.

This MCU Phase 4 multiverse theory being true would mean that everything audiences have seen since Captain America returned in Avengers: Endgame exists in a new universe. That includes everything from Werewolf by Night to Thor: Love and Thunder and Moon Knight. However, the idea that every Phase 4 movie and show takes place in another universe does not completely work. Black Widow is a prequel firmly set in the MCU Sacred Timeline, and it also set up Hawkeye. Instead of these MCU connections potentially being used to discount the entire multiverse theory, they can be used as a basis for an even bigger piece of speculation.

It is possible that the MCU Phase 4 created several branched timelines to have different story tracks play out separately from the rest. For instance, WandaVision, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness could be part of a new universe. Black Widow, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Hawkeye, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever could make up a new timeline. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals, and She-Hulk: Attorney At Law could also exist in a separate universe in the multiverse.

That leaves Thor: Love and Thunder, Ms. Marvel, Moon Knight, Werewolf by Night, and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special to fit within other universes or the main MCU timeline. Thor: Love and Thunder and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special continuing the stories of major MCU characters means they could be they remain part of the Sacred Timeline. Ms. Marvel's placement in the main MCU timeline or in Spider-Man: No Way Home's universe could work. Meanwhile, Moon Knight and Werewolf by Night could be individual universes even due to their lack of connections to the established MCU canon.

Phase 4 Multiverse Twist Helps The MCU Build Towards Secret Wars

The twist that Phase 4 took place in one or multiple new universes would be a clever way for the MCU to build towards Avengers: Secret Wars. The culminating film of Phase 6 and the Multiverse Saga is expected to see heroes from multiple universes battle the Council of Kangs and likely stave off an incursion that risks destroying the main MCU timeline. The problem that Marvel Studios faces with such a story is that audiences will inherently root for the Earth-616 heroes to win and keep the main MCU universe intact. Viewers need to care about the fate of these Earths if Avengers: Secret Wars is going to work.

Phase 4's secret multiverse projects introducing new universes and characters from them is Marvel's best solution. Avengers: Secret Wars could at least partially rely on nostalgia for a similar effect if incursions threaten the Fox X-Men universe or Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man universe. However, the idea that Avengers: Secret Wars could bring Shang-Chi, Namor, and other heroes from across the multiverse and threaten the safety of their universes creates a moral dilemma for viewers and other MCU characters. The Phase 4 multiverse movies theory would brilliantly give the MCU a real debate about which universes should be saved.

Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania Ending Might Be Another Multiverse Twist

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The Phase 4 multiverse twist trend might have even continued with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania's ending. After Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) and Wasp (Evangeline Lilly) defeat Kang the Conqueror, they escape the Quantum Realm through a portal opened by Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton). Although it appears that Ant-Man and Wasp have returned to the original MCU timeline, small details - like the coffee shop owner correctly calling Scott Lang Ant-Man instead of Spider-Man - have led to the belief that Scott and Hope van Dyne actually traveled to a slightly different universe. This would mean Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania gave Phase 5 another secret multiverse twist.

This Ant-Man 3 ending theory might even be what Marvel Studios has planned. The movie's writer Jeff Loveness, who also is writing Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, responded to the theory in an interview with Comicbook and noted "It actually is not too far off from some possibilities, but I can't say anything." This is not confirmation that Scott and Hope traveled to another universe after defeating Kang, but it does lend credence to the idea. If Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania could include a secret multiverse twist like this, then the idea that Marvel Studios quietly expanded the MCU multiverse through Phase 4 movies and shows could make more sense.

Which MCU Phase 5 Projects Could Be Secret Multiverse Stories

Marvel Studios could continue delivering surprise multiverse movies and shows in Phase 5 too. Loki season 2 and Deadpool 3 are the only projects that are officially confirmed to have connections to the multiverse so far, but it would be odd for Marvel to slow down its multiverse explorations as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars are approaching. This could mean more movies and shows in Phase 5 that secretly take place across multiple universes. Based on the potential alternate universes that Phase 4 introduced, most of Phase 5 could realistically hold secret multiverse ties, with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 the most likely candidate to not.

If the theory presented before is correct and Marvel has created multiple universes, every Phase 5 project already holds a connection to one of the new branched timelines. Ironheart, Captain America: New World Order, and Thunderbolts could all be tied together, while Echo and Daredevil: Born Again might also populate the same universe. Agatha: Coven of Chaos would need to be part of WandaVision's universe, and Blade could take place in its own timeline. Secret Invasion and The Marvels could also stay in the main MCU timeline potentially. Since this is just a theory, Phase 5 could make or break the validity of this franchise-altering thought process.